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Government-Politics

ODOT receives $33.2 million federal grant to build first Interstate 5 wildlife overcrossing in southern Oregon

ASHLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) – A $33.2 million federal grant will allow the Oregon Department of Transportation to build the state’s first wildlife overcrossing over Interstate 5 in southern Oregon’s Cascade Siskiyou National Monument. It’s also the first such crossing for the entire stretch of I-5 between Mexico and Canada. The Federal Highway Administration grant was

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Mazama Energy receives $20 million Dept. of Energy grant to test super-hot rock geothermal system at Newberry Volcano

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Central Oregon is not just known for its breathtaking landscapes, it’s now leading the way in geothermal energy innovation. Mazama Energy, Inc. said Friday it has received a $20 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to demonstrate a first-of-its-kind super-hot rock enhanced geothermal system on the western flank of

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Interior Department sending $37.4 million to three C.O. irrigation districts for canal-piping projects

WASHINGTON (KTVZ) — The U.S. Department of the Interior announced Friday a $37.4 million investment through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda for three projects to help improve drought resiliency through piping of Central Oregon irrigation canals. The projects, funded through the Inflation Reduction Act – the largest ever investment in climate – are expected to conserve almost 5,000 acre-feet of water annually in the Ochoco, Central Oregon and Tumalo irrigation

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A large koi fish dumped illegally into the McKenzie River prompts ODFW response

EUGENE, Ore. (KTVZ) – Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife staff responded to a report made Wednesday to the Oregon Invasive Species Hotline that a koi (fish) was spotted near the Armitage Boat Landing on the McKenzie River near Eugene. District fish biologists removed the large koi which was most likely intentionally released into the McKenzie River. Koi can

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U.S. appeals court reaffirms irrigation districts’ right to pipe canals, rejects Tumalo neighbors’ years-long challenge

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) – A three-judge federal appeals court panel has rejected a years-long legal challenge by Tumalo property owners to a Tumalo Irrigation District canal piping project, ruling that the easement covers the work being performed. The U.S Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals judges issued an opinion in  Smith, et al. v. Tumalo Irrigation

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Embattled Crook County Schools Superintendent Dr. Melissa Skinner issues first statement amid athletic director furor

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — Crook County School Superintendent Dr. Melissa Skinner spoke out Thursday for the first time since she became the focus of intense controversy this week amid reports that she intended to reassign popular Athletic Director Rob Bonner. She did not delve deeply into the specifics but vowed to address “the matters within

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New partnership seeking ‘bold solutions’ to C. Oregon’s housing crisis grows to 20 members, plans Jan. 13 workshop

 BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Partners for Affordable Housing announced Thursday that it has expanded its diverse coalition membership, with “20 members now united behind a mission to develop and advocate for bold solutions that increase housing supply and lower housing costs across Central Oregon,” the organization said. Here’s the full announcement: The advocacy coalition is unique

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Oregon DHS hires consultant to review oversight of long-term care providers in wake of recent NewsChannel 21 investigations

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — A consultant has been hired and big changes could be coming to how the Oregon Department of Human Services oversees long-term care providers for seniors with disabilities. The word comes in the wake of NewsChannel 21 Special Reports by Matthew Draxton, who investigated claims of deaths and mismanagement at two Central

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Judge dismisses $33 million timber lawsuit against U.S. Forest Service over 2020 wildfire response

By Alex Baumhardt, Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — A federal judge in Eugene has dismissed a timber company lawsuit against the U.S. Forest Service over its response to a destructive and deadly blaze that was part of the 2020 Labor Day Fires. U.S. District Judge Michael McShane on Dec. 6 dismissed the lawsuit brought by

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Oregon Senator Ron Wyden explains vote against ‘wasteful’ defense spending bill

WASHINGTON (KTVZ) — Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., issued the following statement Wednesday after voting against the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA): “This bill gives our military servicemembers a needed raise. And I support efforts to bolster our democratic allies and partners in Israel, Taiwan, and Ukraine. “But I cannot greenlight wasteful defense spending that will do more

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Salute: President Biden signs National Medal of Honor Highway Bill, long-sought goal of Bend veteran activist Dick Tobiason

WASHINGTON (KTVZ) — Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Mike Crapo celebrated Wednesday the passage of their bipartisan bill designating U.S. Highway 20 between Newport, Ore. and New England as the “National Medal of Honor Highway” — accomplish the latest mission of Bend veterans activist Dick Tobiason. “It’s fitting that our country’s longest continuous highway, stretching

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Senators announce nearly $450K in FAA funding for new 10-unit hangar at Prineville Airport

WASHINGTON (KTVZ) — Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced Wednesday that the Prineville Airport and Pendleton’s Eastern Oregon Regional Airport received a combined $1,329,000 in federal funds from the Federal Aviation Administration for infrastructure and safety improvements.  “Oregon’s regional airports serve as vital hubs for our communities – supporting local businesses, connecting travelers to

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